How to Pronounce Folie a Deux
Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling
Folie a Deux Pronunciation
foh-LEE ah DOO
Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables
Syllable Breakdown
foh
LEE ah DOO
2 syllables
What is Folie a Deux?
A rare psychiatric syndrome, now called shared delusional disorder, in which a delusion is transmitted from one person to a close partner or family member who comes to share the same false belief. The secondary person's symptoms often resolve when they are separated from the primary individual.
Questions About Folie a Deux
How do you pronounce 'folie a deux'?
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Say it like this: foh-LEE ah DOO. The stress falls on the first part—FOH-lee—and you say it a bit like "folly" but with an "oh" sound. The "ah DOO" part at the end is quieter and flows together smoothly.
What does 'folie a deux' mean in plain English?
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It means a false belief or delusion that spreads from one person to another person they are very close to, like a family member or partner. The second person starts to believe the same untrue thing because of their close relationship with the first person.
Why is this term written in French?
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The term comes from French and literally translates to "madness of two." Doctors in France first named and described this condition in the 1800s, so the French name stuck and is still used by medical professionals today.
What are the word parts in 'folie a deux'?
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"Folie" is the French word for madness or delusion. "A" means "of" in French. "Deux" means "two." So put together, it describes a mental condition that involves two people who are connected.
What is a common mispronunciation of this word?
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People often stress the wrong syllable and say "fo-LEE ah DOO" instead of "FOH-lee ah DOO." Remember: the stress belongs on the very first syllable, the "foh" part, not the second one.
How do you break 'folie a deux' into syllables?
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Break it like this: foh-LEE / ah / DOO. That gives you three parts: the main term "folie" (two syllables), then "a" (one syllable), then "deux" (one syllable).
Is there a shorter way to say or write this term?
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In modern medicine, doctors often use the newer English term "shared delusional disorder" instead of the French phrase. However, you will still see "folie a deux" used in medical writing and textbooks.
Can you use 'folie a deux' in a sentence?
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Here's an example: "The case study described a folie a deux where one family member's false belief was shared by their spouse after years of close contact." This shows how the term is used to describe the shared false belief between two people.